Oklahoma Pioneer Mittie Stephens Cobb enjoyed family, home and garden. Mittie's 1941 Journal shares weathered pioneer experiences and every day life in Arapaho, Oklahoma. Mittie and Rufus "Dad" lived west of Arapaho with daughter Mary and son Frank and owned the Cobb Store in Arapaho. Cecil and Lena Cobb, Fannie and Richard Bland lived nearby. George, Jack, Loys Cooper, Randall and Mildred Shankland moved out of state and stayed in touch by letters. Mittie turned 73 years in 1941 outliving three of her children, Rexie, Rollie and Harvey.

Isaiah 55:11

11So shall My word be that goes forth out of My mouth: it shall not return to Me void [without producing any effect, useless], but it shall accomplish that which I please and purpose, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

Cobb house 1954

Cousins 1999

It was serendipity

to have Mittie's Journal to read and share in 2008. The calendar days of 1941 are the same as 2008. Richard received the Journal from his mother, Fannie, and gave the Journal to his cousin Betty in spring 2008. This great-granddaughter first had it in hand in July 2008. For a few weeks it was transcribed to email for family. Mittie's Journal blog began October 12, the anniversary of the day Mittie and Rufus landed at Gip, Oklahoma 1892 in open prairie. Check out that Journal entry. It is a blessing to share this Journal with others. To stay in the matching year the remaining Journal days appear in the Journal Archive as they are posted. Thanks for stopping by.

1941: Rufus and I have nine living children, George, Jack, Randall and Mildred of California. Cecil of Butler, Oklahoma. Loys of Denver, Colorado. Frank, Fannie, and Mary of Arapaho, Oklahoma. We lived on our Homestead at Gip for fifteen years then moved to a farm adjoining Arapaho, Oklahoma. We run the Store at Gip for fifteen years and thirty-four years at Arapaho and also farmed and raised livestock at the two places.

The Indians were always friendly when they came to the Store. Little Wolf, a chief, ate many a time at our table. He gave us a very small pair of Moccasins, Leggins, and Head Band for little Rexie. He loved her and called her his little son's squaw. Said when Baby was grown they would be rich in stock and land and be a little princess when she married his son. Baby Rexie died July 2, 1893 age fifteen months. I heard later that Little Wolf's son died when he was about four years old.

The Squaws were more timid about visiting than the Bucks were, but many Indians traded with us at times. I never worried around them. They were friendly but we didn't understand each other's language very well. One time, an Indian boy gave me a pair of Red Birds to raise as pets.

When baby Rexie took sick at our Store, Little Wolf and his Squaw told me how to doctor her by their sign language and showing how to treat her for spasms. I have never had the opportunity to see Little Wolf's grave to place flowers there. I have told many of his kindness.